Edward Ratcliffe Garth Russell Evans, 1st Baron Mountevans, was a distinguished British naval officer and polar explorer. His Antarctic career began with the Discovery expedition (1901–1904), where he served on the relief ship. He later became second-in-command to Robert Falcon Scott on the historic Terra Nova expedition (1910–1913). Evans captained the expedition ship and led the final support party to within 150 miles of the South Pole before embarking on a grueling return journey during which he narrowly survived a severe case of scurvy. Following his recovery, he toured extensively, delivering public lectures on the expedition's trials and achievements.\n\nDuring the First World War, Evans returned to active naval duty, earning widespread fame as "Evans of the Broke" for his leadership during the Battle of Dover Strait in 1917. His interwar naval career was marked by high-profile commands, including the battlecruiser HMS Repulse, the Australian Squadron, and the Africa Station, culminating in his appointment as Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Alongside his military duties, he served as Rector of the University of Aberdeen. During World War II, Evans transitioned to civil defense, serving as London's Civil Defence Commissioner and liaising with the Norwegian monarchy. He retired from the Navy in 1941 and was elevated to the peerage in 1945.
